When Wayne was a Whippersnapper: Rittman mill becomes tourist attraction

By PAUL LOCHERStaff Writer Published: November 19, 2012 4:00 AM

RITTMAN -- The site of the horrific sawmill explosion that killed seven men instantaneously became something of a tourist attraction. While the mill was literally vaporized, a crater in the ground remained. It was surrounded by debris from the engine and boiler, intermingled with a hat here, a boot there, fragments of clothing and body parts, according to various newspaper reports.

One newspaper account said, "The logs near the mill were spattered over with the brains of the unfortunate men. Pieces of skull were lying about, all contributing to make such a picture of desolation as could not be surveyed without horror."

Four of the seven victims left wives, and three of them had families.

The scene of the disaster brought people flocking from Wadsworth, Wooster and many other towns around the region, leaving vivid impressions and memories that would be talked about for decades to come.

A week later the Wooster Republican ran something of an investigative piece on the cause of the explosion. The Republican said, "The supposition

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is that the engine was not running at the time of the explosion, as the log on the carriage was not commenced on. It is also supposed that the water had become too low in the boiler and was replenished too suddenly, which caused the explosion."

The article said there was an iron ball the mill operators used to hold down the safety valve, and which was calculated

to weigh about 30 pounds.

The writer said, "I was informed that it was a practice with them to prop down the safety valve to raise steam. This report tends to confirm rumors that John Fritz was irritated over the boiler's inability to produce enough steam to saw two boards simultaneously as the proprietors intended.

"Fritz is alleged to have declared, 'I will get more steam or blow us to kingdom come!'" the newspaper reported.

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The Republican further reported the township's operating funds from the commissioners were found still safely tucked into the dead Jacob Knupp's coat pocket, and the sweetheart whom young David Hoover had planned to marry the following week had gone into mourning instead.

After interest in the tragedy waned, the property eventually was sold to George Landis, who built a new sawmill on it, just a few rods west of where the destroyed mill had sat. Landis, who was involved in building houses in that area of the city, cut lumber at the mill for many years, even after losing a leg to his saw.

Ironically, Landis was killed when the boiler of his sawmill exploded in 1890.

Source: "Arise Wild Land" by Lindsey Williams

Wednesday: Reminiscences of John Harrison

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at 330-682-2055 or plocher@the-daily-record.com.